PREREQUISITES

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to music and sound-art created through the use of computer and electronic systems. This is a studio course, and students will be expected to participate creatively in class by listening, taking an active role in discussions, and making your own work through significant, intelligent uses of technology. Although a component of this class includes learning how to use computers and other technological tools, this is not a "how-to-use technology" course. We will focus primarily on learning enough about technology to realize personal creative projects. There will be cake*.

This Studio class will explore technology-forward techniques for creating and controlling sound and music systems for composition, research and live performance.

Working in teams or on their own, students will design their own music-rich technology experiences, compose music, design sonic material, and implement their own playable interactive musical projects.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Music technology-based research and composition taught in the context of modern computerized production methods. Technical topics include basic principles of music programming languages, digital sound synthesis and sampling, and the use of computer systems for musical control of electronic instruments. Musical topics include a study of important musical works and compositional techniques of the 21st century. Student projects involve hands-on work on a variety of computer programming languages, instruments, and software. This course is a prerequisite for further creative work with Rensselaer’s computer music facilities.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate...
1. an understanding and appreciation of computer music through an awareness of the many disciplines underlying the field including: listening skills, musical theory, musical acoustics, psycho-acoustics, software design and programming, digital audio theory, and digital signal processing.
2. basic technical facility in the areas of audio recording, editing, sound synthesis, software development and post production.
3. creativity and resourcefulness through the creation and composition of your own sonic projects

EVALUATION

Evaluation is based on the following:

• Homework Assignments/Projects (39%)
• Final Project (41%)
• Attendance/class participation (20%)

CLASS PARTICIPATION

You will be required to present some of your assignments to the class, to show your work within the software environment you used to create it, and to engage the class in discussion of your work. When you are not presenting your own work, you need to be attentive to whoever is presenting, and to engage them in discussion of their work. Failure to participate in class will lower your grade.

ATTENDANCE

You must attend class to succeed in this course.

1. Since much of the class is focused on listening to and discussing work in class, attendance is mandatory.
2. ** More then two unexcused absences will affect your grade, detracting 1/2 grade each additional 2 unexcused absences. **
3. Late arrivals are very disruptive - continued late arrival will affect your grade.
4. It should go without saying but no use of mobile devices or personal computers during class time (except for as required by the coursework itself) is acceptable. Continued violations will be treated as an unexcused absence.

STATEMENT REGARDING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Collaboration between students in this course when specified by the instructor is encouraged. Likewise, students are encouraged — indeed, to some extent required — to exchange ideas, opinions and information. You are also encouraged to help each other in the lab and with performance, production, and presentation of creative projects.

That being said, all work you submit should be wholly your own. If you collaborate on an assignment (with faculty approval) you must specify which elements of the submitted work are your own and which are someone else's. Lack of proper attribution will be taken as an attempt to pass of another's work as your own.

Plagiarism of any kind is in direct violation of University policy on Academic Dishonesty as defined in the Rensselaer Handbook, and penalties for plagiarism can be severe. In this class you will be expected to attribute due credit to the originator of any ideas, words, sounds, or music which you incorporate substantially into your own work. This applies particularly to citation of sources for sonic "samples" included in your compositions.

The use of automated technical aids (e.g. ChatBots, AI code plugins) is not necessarily forbidden but if used MUST be documented in great detail and discussed with the Professor prior to use in a graded project/assignment.

Submission of any assignment that is in violation of this policy may result in a grade of F for the assignment in question. Violation of this policy will be reported, as defined in the Rensselaer Handbook

DISABILITY SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

Students requiring assistance are encouraged to contact Disability Services: http://doso.rpi.edu/dss to discuss any special accommodations or needs for this course.

OFFICE HOURS

Office Hours for Fall, 2026 will be TBD

TEXTBOOKS / REPOSITORIES / FOUNDATIONAL MATERIAL

Musimathics (Vol. I), by Gareth Loy

Musimathics (Vol, II), by Gareth Loy

Theory and Techniques of Electronic Music, by Miller Puckette

Designing Sound, by Andy Farnell

FILE UPLOAD LINK (BOX)